English Fast Bowler Mark Wood Expresses Reserved Optimism for Ashes First Test
Wood has been absent from Test cricket since August 2024.
The English pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" of being fit for the first Test of the Ashes series in Australia.
Wood has not played since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and underwent surgery on a left knee injury this spring.
The Champions Trophy and India series which came before marked his comeback from an elbow injury that had kept him out since August 2024.
"It was a frustrating summer," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any matches and my knee, at times, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there."
"I faced setbacks a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. We've used the radar gun and the pace is getting up there."
The opener of the series starts on 21 November at Perth, with England aiming to win their initial series win on Australian soil in over a decade.
"Hopefully, I'm in form, delivering effectively in the practice games and in net sessions, and can put my hand up for that game [Ashes opener]," Wood continued, who last played a Test versus Sri Lanka 14 months ago.
"My recovery wasn't a straight curve, it had its ups and downs, but now I'm in a better place where i'm hoping to kick on for that game."
"I never want to give an answer where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm ready'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful."
Australian Injury Worries
Meanwhile, worries for Australia over the fitness of squad members have led to player Cameron Green making way for Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, beginning this weekend.
Australia already have concerns over the condition of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since mid-year because of lumbar bone stress in his back.
"Cameron Green has been ruled out of the [India] series after suffering mild side discomfort at training this week," Cricket Australia said.
"He will undergo a brief rehab stint and is tracking to return for the third round of the Sheffield Shield to further prepare for the Ashes."
The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition begins October 28th.
